Special places in Newton Upper Falls: Echo Bridge
Echo Bridge spans the Charles River between Newton MA and Needham MA. The bridge is located near the intersection of Route 9 and Route 128. The bridge was built to carry an aqueduct across the Charles River in 1875 by the Boston Water Works. It was used to carry water from the Sudbury River into Boston.
Echo Bridge spans the Charles River between Newton MA and Needham MA. The bridge is located near the intersection of Route 9 and Route 128. The bridge was built to carry an aqueduct across the Charles River in 1875 by the Boston Water Works. It was used to carry water from the Sudbury River into Boston. 
Each section of the railing on the top of the aqueduct is cast with “BWW” as a logo.
Echo Bridge is now on the National Register of Historic Places. It is not in regular use as an aqueduct, but it is maintained for emergency purposes. It was used for an emergency in May of 2010 when a major water main burst leaving 38 metro west communities without adequate water supplies.
Echo Bridge crosses Hemlock Gorge a conservation area that is now filled with hemlock trees. The falls were used for water power for mills, and some of the buildings remain.
Echo Bridge is now on the National Register of Historic Places. It is not in regular use as an aqueduct, but it is maintained for emergency purposes. It was used for an emergency in May of 2010 when a major water main burst leaving 38 metro west communities without adequate water supplies.
Echo Bridge crosses Hemlock Gorge a conservation area that is now filled with hemlock trees. The falls were used for water power for mills, and some of the buildings remain.
People can walk across the top of the aqueduct on Echo Bridge. Locals use it to cross from Newton to Needham. The Newton side entrance is hard to see as it is a small walking path right off Ellis Street located between a house and an antique shop.
At the bottom of the bridge is a viewing area right under the main arch of the bridge. It is from this viewing area that one can hear the very strong echos for which the bridge is named. A near whisper will echo off the opposite side of the arch. It is a very pleasant walk in the gorge next to the bridge, and hearing the echo is something that should be on everyone’s to do list.
Melville Capps
